18 – 20 Year Olds Use Drugs the Most [Infographic]

Drug abuse is an issue across all age demographics, but there is no denying that it is 18 – 20 year olds using drugs the most. Take a closer look at the drug abuse in this demographic and what that means for young adults today.

18 – 20 Year Olds Using Drugs the Most

The National Institute on Drug Abuse reports that 22.6 percent of 18 – 20 year-olds are using drugs on a monthly basis. This is the highest percentage among any demographic, clearly highlighting the fact that it is 18 – 20 year olds using drugs the most in the United States.

Most Drug Users Try Drugs Before the Age of 18

An interesting fact to note is that more than half, or 54.1 percent, of first-time drug users are under the age of 18. By experimenting with drugs at such a young age, it is far more likely for users to continue use in the years ahead. This simply confirms that it is young adults who are most likely to use drugs, and it helps to explain why.

Drug Use May be Replacing Alcohol Consumption

Interestingly, drug use among young adults has increased while alcohol consumption has decreased. Just between 2002 and 2013 alone, regular alcohol consumption among young people has decreased from 28.8 percent to 22.7 percent.

Opiate Overdoses Killing 18 – 20 Year-Olds in Staggering Numbers

With the increase in drug use for 18 – 20 year-olds comes an increases in fatal overdoses. Young people are the highest users of opiate painkillers, and more than 1,700 of these young adults died in 2014 because of a prescription drug overdose.

Marijuana the Most-Used Drug Among Young People

If it is those between the ages of 18 and 20 who are using drugs the most in America, which drugs are they using? By far the most popular drug for this demographic is marijuana. More than 19 percent of young people report using marijuana in the past month, a far greater percentage than those reporting use of cocaine, psychotherapeutics or hallucinogens.

Since it is 18 – 20 year-olds that are using drugs the most, it is also the same age group that is most likely to require drug addiction treatment. At Beaches Recovery in Jacksonville, Florida, programs catering to the needs of young adults can offer the tools for a lifetime of sobriety. Call 866-605-0532 to learn more and to explore the pathway to recovery.